Reese White has spent her whole life trying so hard to be perfect, that when she looks in the mirror, she doesn't know the person staring back at her. Sure, she's always gotten high grades and excelled academically, but she's never put much time into herself. Now, as she heads off to college, Reese realizes she's remained so hidden inside a book that she's invisible to everyone, including herself.

Kellin Lake has always seen Reese, his little sister's best friend, the beautiful girl hidden behind baggy clothes and good grades--but he's hiding, too-- even from her. Tattoos, lip piercing and lead singer in a metal band, he's a rebel without a cause. But that's just to the people at school. At home, he covers it all up, and he's the boy with the angel's voice, and a 4.0 only his parents know about.

When Reese flips the switch and takes control of her looks, they make an arrangement-- pretend to be in a relationship to elevate Reese's social status. It's simple. Kellin helps his sister's best friend, and Reese isn't invisible anymore. No one falls in love. No one gets hurt. But what Reese doesn't realize is Kellin is already in love with her.

Maybe it's a good thing. I don't need her to think I'm developing something for her brother...or that I've always had something for him. I squeeze my fists together until my nails bit into my palms. I look up at Kellin.

I don't feel anything different than I've ever felt around him.

He gives me a smile and comes forward to pull me into his arms, tucking his head into my hair. "I missed you, Ree."

I smile as I hug him back, the happiness I always feel around him overtaking any of the odd thoughts I'm having away. He pulls away, looking down at me, and I feel like me.

Just me.

"So why haven't you packed anything?" he asks as he looks around my room, hands in his pockets. He's wearing the heather blue Henley with the hood I bought him for his birthday. He has the sleeves pushed up, and the buttons undone so his tattoos show in all their glory, but he'll be able to hide them if my parents come home.

"I don't know what to bring," I admit.

"You can bring everything if you want," Kellin replies, crossing his arms. "It's our home indefinitely. We don't have to come back for breaks unless we want to."

"Good point...I just don't know where to start," I reply with a shrug.

Kellin gives me a grin, and my skin heats up as our eyes remain locked on each other. I can't look away or stop smiling. I finally turn around, grabbing a box as I chastise myself. This is Kellin-- KELLIN, my best friend's brother. My good friend for four years. He's older. Sexy as hell-- damn it! Off limits, Reese!

I take a deep breath as I feel Kellin behind me.

"Let me give you a hand?" he asks, giving me one of those infectious, crooked-kid-like grins.

"It's an empty box, Kell. I think I can handle it," I reply, nudging him out of the way.

"You sure about that?" he teases, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Ree? You up there?" Mom calls my name, and I look at Kellin frozen as her hand turns the knob to my door.

I jump on his back, pulling down his sleeves as I do and wrapping my arms around his neck to cover his collarbone. Kellin catches my legs and holds me there just as Mom opens the door.

She blinks a few times at us, and I give her a smile.

"Kellin and Lindy came over to help me pack," I say.

"I can see that...but why are you on Kellin's back?" she asks, and I hear Lindy stifle a giggle as Kellin's arms tighten around my legs in panic.

"I was betting him that he couldn't pick me up," I say as I slip one hand under my arm and button the shirt. I slide down his back. "I guess I was wrong!"

Mom looks between Kellin and me before shaking her head. "Well, Reese could really use your help. As you can tell she hasn't even started thinking about moving yet."

"I've been thinking about it. I just haven't done anything yet," I reply.

She rolls her eyes in response. "So I should order a pizza for dinner?"

"That'd be great," Kellin replies as he opens one of my drawers and immediately closes it, placing his hands behind his head as he purses his lips together.

"Found the underwear drawer?" Mom asks as she smirks at him before shutting the door.

Kellin taps his thumbs against his jeans as he looks around the room. "Uh...thanks for that."

I nod as I step past him and open the same drawer and start dropping my bras and underwear into the box in front of him. His eyes find the ceiling as his face turns red. "Really, Ree? You couldn't like wear, I don't know...normal stuff?"

I look up at him as I drop a pair of black lace boy shorts into the box. "What's not normal about them?"

He rubs his face. "You practically wear bags as clothing--and then you wear that underneath?"

I pop my hip out as I lock eyes with him. "Do you like it or something?"

Lindy makes a gagging noise behind him. "Could you guys save the flirting for when I'm not around?"

It's my turn to be embarrassed. I drop the last item into the box and start piling my pajamas, which were pretty close to what I wear every day, on top. Kellin doesn't respond but grabs another empty box and heads to my closet. He pauses, hand on the knob before looking over his shoulder at me.

"Is there anything I need to be cautious of in here?"

I shake my head. "You found the only thing you really wouldn't want to see the first drawer you opened."

Lindy coughs, muttering under her breath, "Who says he didn't want to see it?"

I watch as Kellin's eyebrows twitch, his eyes narrowing on his sister. She shoots him a similar look, and I stand in the middle puzzled.

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

Cassandra doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character’s stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. Besides being a writer, Cassandra is a professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is happily married to the man of her dreams, and they live in the rolling hills of New England with their daughter, Hope and dogs, Bubski and Kanga. For regular updates visit Cassandra’s website www.cgiovanniauthor.com and sign up for her newsletter.

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Welcome to Wishful Endings! This is where I geek out about all things bookish (mostly YA, but also Romance, Christian Romance, LDS Romance, and occasionally other genres and hobby titles)! I always include content info in my reviews so you know what you're diving into. I enjoy helping publishers and authors promote their books as a tour host for Prism Book Tours. Outside of blogging, I'm a total Marvel geek, Austen lover, and enjoy hanging with the family (husband, four kiddos, and pup).

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